EXCEPT for his height which is quite rare for a Filipino, Kai Zachary Sotto looked and sounded like any other kid, shyly answering questions and ducking those he found awkward.

But a 13 year old who stands 6-foot-9 can only escape attention for so long, and Kai admitted he was surprised by the sudden curiousity about him on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram from people who see him as the next big thing in Philippine basketball.

Unlike other kids who had to be forced to play basketball because of their size, Sotto embracing the game came almost naturally, having grown up around the game because of his dad Ervin - a seven-year PBA veteran who had stints for teams like Alaska and Purefoods.

Kai grew up around PBA stars like Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss and his Ninong Ranidel De Ocampo and started playing the game with much older men in their neighborhood in Las Pinas.

With his dad now playing for NLEX Road Warriors' sister PCBL team Byaheng SCTEX, Kai would always join his dad in practice where he regularly gets advice from Road Warriors' stars Asi Taulava, Mac Cardona and even import and former NBA forward Al Thornton.

Sotto will also get a chance to play against kids his age when he plays a pick-up game in Manicani Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar where he was invited as guest player in a Nickel Asia organized basketball league.